Gebabd sickels



i glatten gieten jatnnt @ffice GERARD SICKELS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 62,159, dated February 19, 1867. i

IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE' RACK OR SHELF.

Be it known that I, GERARD SIUKELS, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have i invented a new and improved Portable, Adjustable Rack or Shelf, for hanging clothes, dto., or for holding articles, of which the following. is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view; and

Figure 2 a side View of my device when closed.

The object ef my invention is to providel a light, cheap, and portable device for hanging clothes, towels, &c;, to be dried, or for holding any article that maybe placed thereon, and the invention4 consists of a folding rack, so constructed that it may be dropped from a horizontal to a vertical position, and easily folded in a small space.

When open it may be suspended against the side wall of a room, or outside of a window or other convenient Y place, a part being made to project horizontally, or may be arranged at any inclination, the projecting part being provided with rods or bars or witha plane surface, as occasion may require.

Referring to the drawings, A represent upright bars or standards, joined together by two cross-bars, as shown. To the upper bar Z1 is secured, so as to turn freely, thc ends of supports, B, the opposite ends being similarly attached to a swinging frame, C C. The frame C C is 'composed of two side pieces, connected together by a series of rods or bars, C. The inner ends of the bars C C are made to t in notches formed in the uprights A, so thatiwhen placed in a horizontal position with the ends in the said notches, it will, by means of the bar C, be firmly held, and clothes, towels, orlothcr similar articles, may be hung upon the rods C.l Instead'of the rods C, a board maybe substituted,4 so as to form a shelf to place either small or large articles upon, or the boards may simply rest upon the rods. It is designed to suspend the device upon the wall or from a window or other 4place to suit the convenience or purpose of the person using it.' i i represent hooks attached to a 'wall or partition, W, upon which the device may be suspended, by means of the upper cross-bar b. Instead of placing the frame C C at right angles to the uprights A, it may be arranged at any other angle for the convenience of papers, engravings, 5to., by making notches in the standards to suit any inclination. It is equally adapted for use in thekitchen, chambers, or rooms of a house, or for a library or gentlemans oce, as it may be found necessary sometimes to have a shelf in a' convenient position for the temporary lodgment of books,,papers, or

other articles where a stationary shelf would be in the'way as a fixture; for its position may be changed as required to various parts of a room, and, when not in use,'it can be readilyfolded up in a small compass and placed out of the way, and in transportation a large number can be packed-'togetherin a small space. It may also be made to rest upon the oor,and the uprights being properly secured to the wall or other plaee,`the frame C, with a proper covering, may answer the purpose of a seat, and be permanently or temporarily attached to the wall or other suitable place. The' device will also found especially adapted, for use in drying shoes or stockings'that have been wet during the day, by arranging itover a stove or range or {ire-place at night, and placing the said boots or shoes on the bars of the horizontal frame C C. The uprights A may be provided with a base or feet, and aswingingframe may be attached to the other side ofthe device, if desirable, or two frames may be temporarily connected together to operate in the same manner.

I am aware that a shelf or its equivalent has been pivoted tostandards with a hinged supporting brace, and made detachable at one end beneath; this I do not claim, but having thus described my invention, what claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv i The swingingframe C C, in combination with the standards A A .and supporting bars B B, when constructed and operating as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiieation in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GERARD sIeKELs.

Witnesses z Jos. H. ADAMs.' DAVID KnLLnnnn. 

